Oakland, California is home to a thriving craft beer scene, featuring some of the best breweries in the country. The city has become a destination for beer lovers looking to explore a range of unique beer flavors and styles. From traditional IPAs, seasonal house beer blends, and stouts to sour ales and barrel-aged brews, Oakland’s craft breweries offer something for every palate.
To find the top ten breweries in Oakland, we consulted with local experts and gathered data from various sources. We also took into account each brewery’s reputation, awards received, customer reviews, and overall quality of their beers. We then compiled our findings into this comprehensive list of the top ten craft breweries in Oakland.
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Here are the top 10 breweries in Oakland.
- The Good Hop
- Line 51 Brewing
- Temescal Brewing
- Original Pattern Brewing Company
- Ghost Town Brewing
- Buck Wild Brewing and Taproom
- Novel Brewing Company
- Drake’s Dealership Brewery
- Federation Brewery
- Oakland United Beerworks
The Top 10 Breweries In Oakland
1. The Good Hop
The Good Hop is an Oakland, California-based craft brewery founded in 2013. It has become one of the most acclaimed breweries in the Bay Area for its wide range of beer styles, from traditional ales, local beers, and lagers to experimental brews such as sours and barrel-aged ales.
Their own beers have earned numerous awards over the years, including multiple gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. The brewery offers guided tours and tastings across a variety of days throughout the year.
2. Line 51 Brewing
Founded in 2014, Line 51 Brewing is an Oakland-based brewery that specializes in producing a wide range of beer styles. From traditional ales and lagers to more experimental brews like sours and barrel-aged ales, their beers have earned multiple awards over the years, including gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. The brewery offers guided tours and tastings throughout the year, as well as special events such as beer festivals and dinners.
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3. Temescal Brewing
Temescal Brewing is a family-owned brewery located in Oakland, California. Founded in 2015, the brewery has quickly become a favorite among Bay Area residents for its award-winning beer selection. Their many beers range from traditional styles such as IPAs and lagers to more experimental brews like sours and barrel-aged ales. Temescal Brewing’s beers have earned multiple awards, including a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival and a bronze medal at the World Beer Cup. The brewery also hosts regular events on its large outdoor patio, where visitors can sample their wide array of craft beer styles.
4. Original Pattern Brewing
Original Pattern Brewing is a small craft brewery located in Oakland, California. Founded in 2017, the brewery has quickly gained popularity for its wide range of beer styles and innovative brewing techniques. Their ever-expanding lineup includes IPAs, stouts, sours, lagers, and barrel-aged beers.
Their beers have earned numerous awards over the years, including multiple gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. In addition to offering guided tours and tastings of their facility and beer selection, Original Pattern Brewing also hosts various special events throughout the year.
5. Ghost Town Brewing
Ghost Town Brewing is a craft brewery located in Oakland, California that was founded in 2015. They specialize in producing a wide range of beer styles, from traditional classics like IPAs and lagers to more experimental brews such as sours and barrel-aged ales. Their beers have earned various awards over the years, including multiple gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. They offer guided tours and tastings of their facility across a variety of days throughout the year.
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6. Buck Wild Brewing and Taproom
Buck Wild Brewing and Taproom is a craft brewery located in Oakland, California that was founded in 2014. They specialize in producing a wide range of beer styles, from traditional classics like IPAs and lagers to more experimental brews such as sours and barrel-aged ales. Their beers have earned various awards over the years, including multiple gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. The taproom also offers an extensive selection of food items from various local restaurants, as well as weekly events such as live music performances, trivia nights, and game nights.
7. Novel Brewing Company
Novel Brewing Company is a craft brewery located in Oakland, California that was founded in 2018. The brewery has quickly become one of the most respected and acclaimed breweries in the Bay Area for its innovative approach to brewing.
They specialize in creating unique beer styles, from traditional ales and lagers to experimental brews like sours and barrel-aged ales. Their beers have earned various awards over the years, including multiple gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. They offer guided tours and tastings of their facility across a variety of days throughout the year.
8. Drake’s Dealership Brewery
Drake’s Dealership Brewery is an award-winning craft brewery in Oakland, California. Founded in 1989 by Drake’s Brewing Company co-founder Roger Lind, the brewery has become one of the most acclaimed in the Bay Area for its wide selection of beer styles and inventive brewing methods. Their beers have earned multiple awards over the years, including a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival and bronze medals at both the World Beer Cup and Australian International Beer Awards. The brewery offers guided tours and tastings throughout the year, as well as special events such as beer and food pairings, live music performances, and game nights.
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9. Federation Brewery
Federation Brewery is a craft brewery located in Oakland, California, and was founded in 2014. They specialize in creating unique styles of good beer, from traditional ales, and lagers to experimental brews like sours and barrel-aged ales. Their beers have earned multiple awards over the years, including gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. They offer guided tours and tastings of their facility across a variety of days throughout the year, as well as special events such as beer festivals and dinners.
10. Oakland United Beerworks
Oakland United Beerworks is a great brewery based in Oakland, California that was founded in 2013. They specialize in creating a wide variety of great beers, from traditional ales and lagers to experimental brews like sours and barrel-aged ales.
Their beers have earned multiple awards over the years, including gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. In addition to offering guided tours and tastings of their facility across a variety of days throughout the year, they also host various special events such as beer festivals, food trucks, live music performances, and game nights.
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Other worthy mentions include Ale Industries which has been making some of Oakland’s best beers for over a decade.
Brewery Tours And Tastings In Oakland
The Oakland Ale Trail is a great way to explore some of the best breweries in Oakland. The trail allows you to visit eight different breweries, each offering its own unique experience, including tastings and tours. Most breweries offer free tours on Saturdays and Sundays, with tasting flights ranging from $5-$10.
Many of the breweries also host special events, such as beer festivals with food trucks, food pairings, and a great food menu. For example, Drake’s Dealership Brewery hosts an annual Oktoberfest celebration and Tap Takeover series that features new beers from local breweries, while Federation Brewery offers monthly Beer Dinners featuring five courses paired with their craft beers. There are also brewery-only releases that can be experienced only at the taproom or through bottle shares.
Conclusion
The Oakland area is a great place to find many breweries, with plenty of options for lovers of great beer. From bustling taprooms to cozy pubs, there is something for everyone in this city. The top 10 breweries in Oakland are definitely worth a visit and are sure to provide an unforgettable experience with their honest beer-making. Each one offers unique beers that are brewed with love and care. Whether you’re looking for a place to grab a pint or want to learn more about the brewing process, there’s something for everyone in Oakland.
